Coupler connection



. Feb. 13, 1930.

J. F. O'CONNOR COUPLER CONNECTION Filed May 12.. 1928 w 4 7 0 WI l l i 4VL\ Z f Patented Feb. 18, 1930 JOHN F. OCONNOR, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,ASSIGNOB. TO W. H. MINER, ING, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OFDELAWARE COUPLER CONNECTION Application filed 'May' 12, 1928.

'15 Another object of the invention is to provide a coupler connectionof the character indicated, wherein the coupler shank is swiveled to apressure-transmitting block, the pressure-transmitting block and thebutt end of the coupler shank being provided with cooperating bearingmeans, including a cylindrical bearing member on one of the parts and aco-operating bearing socket on the other part, adapted to be assembledby inserting the 2 bearing member within the socket in a lateraldirection, the parts being maintained in assembled relation by the usualcoupler key which extends through the coupler shank and cylindricalmember, locking the same against lateral separation but permittingrelative swinging movement thereof.

Other and further objects of the invention will more clearly appear fromthe description and claims hereinafter following. a

' In the drawings,'forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is ahorizontal, longif tudinal, sectional view through a portion of therailway draft rigging of a car, illustrating my improvements inconnection therewith. Figure 2 is a longitudinal, vertical, sectionalview, corresponding substantially to the line 22 of Figure 1. AndFigure3 is a top plan view of the inner end of the coupler and co-operatingparts, illustrating a different embodiment of my invention.

Insaid drawings, referring first to the embodiment of the inventionillustrated in Figures 1 and 2, 1010 indicate the usual channel-shapedcenter or draft sills of a railway car underframe, to which are securedcheek Serial No. 277,269,

plates 11 provided with key receiving slots 12 and 13'. The strikingcasting of the railway draft rigging is indicated by 14, and the usualcarry iron which supports the coupler shank is designated by 15. A wearplate 16 is disposed between the'carry iron member 15 and the couplershank. A yoke 17 of the horizontal type is disposed between the draftsills, the front ends of the side'arms of the yoke member only beingillustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings. The usual front follower blockis designated by 18 and is provided .with a transverse key slot throughwhich the follower key 19 extends. The yoke 17 has the arms thereofprovided with slots 20 and 21, which are of the usual form. The followerblock key 19 extends through the slots 21 of the yoke and has the outerends thereof working in the slots 13 of the cheek plates.

In carrying outmy invention as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, Iprovide, broadly, a coupler A, a pressure-transmitting block B, and acoupler key C.

The coupler A is provided with the usual horn, not shown, from whichextends a' shank 22. As shown, the coupler shank 22 tapers rearwardlyand has the butt end thereof enlarged, the butt end section being cutaway centrally to provide spaced, rearwardly extending, inwardly curvedarms 23-23. As clearly shown in Figure 1, the inner faces of the arms 23are curved, as indicated at 2 1, so as to provide a substantiallycircular pocket The free ends of the arms28 are spaced apart, as shown,and present substantially flat radial end faces 3333 which, ashereinafter pointed out, act as limiting stops to limit the lateralswinging movementof the coupler. The rear end faces of the arms 23 arealso curved, as indicated at 25/ These faces are concentric with thecurved surfaces 24 on theinner sides of the arms. Immediately adjacentthe curved face '25, each arm I 23 is provided with a substantiallyfiat, longi tudinally extending face 26. Midway between the ends of theenlarged section of the coupler butt, the sides thereof are providedwith curved projections 27 which substantial 1y fit between the sidearms of the yoke member. The faces of the curved projections 27 areconcentric with the curved faces 24', so that the coupler may swingbetween the arms and the yoke without interference. V

' The pressure-transmitting block B comprises amain bodyportion having afiat transverse end face 28 which bears directly forming a bearingmember.

side faces of the post 29 are flat, as indicated i at 313 1, andconverge forwardly, the same.

on the front face of the follower block 18. The body portionmof thepressure-transmit.- ting blockis provided with aforwardly projecting,relatively heavy post 29-, having acylindrical head 30 at the forwardendthereof The opposite being preferably radial-to the-center ofthepocketin the butt" end of; the coupler shank.

[fits within the pocket formed by the curved 20 As shown; thecylindrical bearing section 30 side walls 24524 ofthe arms 23, so thatthe couplerwillhave pivotal movement on said bearingmember.f 'Atopposite sides, the front end portion-of the pressure-transmittingblockzproper is cutaway, thereby providing concave bearing walls: 32-32'on opposite sides of said block, which areconcentric with the curvedwalls 24 of the arms. The. inner ends of the arms 23 fit between thecylindrical bearing element 30 and the curved bearing wa1ls132 of thepressure-transmitting block, so that the arms will bear on both the f vcylindrical bearing element and the bearing walls 5.32, thecurvaturef'of the end bearing fac'es25 of the arms being thesa-me asthatof the walls 32. i M

'fAs shown in Figure 1 the fiat end abutment L surfaces 33 ofthearms23are spaced from the abutment'faces 31 ofthe post 29 such adistance that the coupler has the required amount ofradial swingingmovement. When the coupler has been swung toeither side of centeredposition a predetermined distance,'the abutment face33' at the inner endof one of the arms engages the corresponding side face 31 of thepost29,thus positively pler.

limiting the swinging movement of the con- B has been described las-amember separate 7 from the coupler l 'shank, it in fact forms a:separable butt end member of the coupler J shank, thecoupler shank beingof two-part construction, the parts of which have swiv Although thepressure transmittingblock cylindrical bearing section 30 and the frontend portion of the post 29 of the pressuretransmitting blockBare alsoprovided with a slot 35 which is adapted to accommodate the coupler keyC, the slot 35' registering with the slot 34 when thepressure-transmitting block is assembled with the coupler shank.

The key C extends through the aligned slots 34 and Y35, the keyreceiving slots of the arms of the yoke and the key receiving slots '12of the cheek plates of the draftsills. As shown, the key G is headed atone endand is providedwith a retaining element of well known form,indicated by 36,-: at the otherv end. V In assembling the partsofmytimproved coupler connection as illustrated in Figures 1; and 2,.the 'cylindrical bearing element of the pressure-transmitting block andthe arms 23-of the coupler shank are inter-engaged-by bringing thebearing'element 30 in alignment with a pocket provided between the arms23 and then passing the same into said pocket and the inner ends of thearms-23 into the space between the cylindrical bearing element and thewalls 32"ofthe pressuretransmitting block B by moving the coupler shankand the pressure-transmitting block laterally toward each other in avertical die, I

re'ction until the key receivingjopenings 34 and 35 of the coupler shankand the pressuretransmitting block B are brought intoalignment. Whenthe-parts have been: thus assembled, the coupler 1 shank is connected tothe 'preSsure transmitting block for pivotal movement so that-thecoupler shank may swing laterally. Whenthe part-s have been thus farassembled, the key C is inserted throughthe openings in the ,draftsills; the

arms of the yoke andthe aligned openings 34' and 35'of the coupler-shankand pressure:

transmitting block B. Aswill be evident,

when the key has been thus inserted,'the parts A and B are heldagainstseparation-in' a ivertical direction thus holding the couplershank and pressure-transmitting block positively assembled. When it isdesired to 'remove the pressure-transmitting block B from.

the coupler shankjhe keyG is withdrawn, thereby permittingvertical;.separation of the and the 'pressure-transmitting block .BL

In the operation of my improved coupler connection, the shank ofthe-coupler has' a bearing elements of the swiveled; connection: betweenthe lnner end of the coupler shank 1 swiveling movement on the bearingEmember 30 'and the bearingwalls 32 of the pressuretransmitting block,the lateral swinging movement'of' the coupler beinglimited;,byengagementof-the end abutment faces 33 of the arms 23 0f the coupler-shank with,the side faces 31 of the post'29of the. pressure-trans} mitting blockB,as hereinbefo-re pointed out; When a draftaction is applied to thecoupler, Y

the yoke l'l is pulled forwardlyithrough.the

medium of the key O, thereby compressing the shock absorbing means whichis disposed within the yoke, against the front follower slot 35 of theblock is wider than the key to permit of the swinging movement of thekey. In a buffing action, the coupler is forced inwardly, therebyforcing the'pressure-transmitting block B inwardly also against thefront follower 18, the follower 18 acting with the coupler shank andacts to center the coupler through the pulling action of the' yoke.

Referring next to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure3, the same comprises, broadly, a coupler D, a pressuretransmittingblock E swiveled thereto, and a coupler key F. The coupler key F isconnected to a yoke in the same manner as the coupler key C illustratedin Figures 1 and 2, and the pressure-transmitting block E bears directlyon the flat front face of a follower block similar to the follower block18 hereinbefore described.

The' butt end of the coupler shank D is provided with a cylindricalenlargement 40 having a central pocket 41 which is open at the top andprovided with a bottom wall 42. The vertical wall of the pocket 41 is oftrue circular form and the pocket is adapted to receive a cylindricalenlargement 43 formed ion the post section 44 projecting from thepressure-transmitting block E. As clearly shown in Figure 3, the centralportion of the, cylindrical enlargement at the rear end of the couplershank is cut away, as indicated at 45, to accommodate the post section44. The cut away section 45 is considerably greater than the width ofthe post, thereby providing flat abutment faces 4646 spaced from thesides of the post. The abutment faces 46 limit the radial swingingmovement'of the couplerin the same manner as the corresponding abutyokemember and a front follower co-operating therewith, the combination witha-coument faces at the inner ends of the arms 23 of the coupler A,hereinbefore described; The cylindrical bearing element 43 substan-'tially fits the pocket 41 so that the coupler D is accurately guided inits swinging movement. The bearing elements 43 and 40 of thepressure-transmitting block and the coupler shank are held assembled ina similar manner to the corersponding parts hereinbefore described inconnection with the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figuresland 2,

ends accommodated in the usual key receiving slots of the yoke andcenter or draft sills.

As shown in Figure 3, the key receiving slot of thepressure-transmitting block also extends into the post 44 and the frontend portion of the block E proper.

In assembling the parts of the swiveled connection as illustrated inFigure 3, the bearing member 43 is inserted through the top of thepocket of the coupler shankand forced downwardly within said pocketuntil the bearing member 43 rests on the bottom wall of the pocket, andthe key receiving slots of the bearing member 43 andthe coupler shankare brought into alignment. The coupler key is then inserted through thealigned 1 key receiving openings of the bearing members, the yoke armsand the draft sills.

While I'have herein'shown and described what I consider the preferredmanner of carrying out my invention, the same'is merely illustrative andI contemplate all changes and modifications which come within the scopeof the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. In a railway draft rigging including spaced center sills, a yokemember having side arms, a front follower having a keyed connection withthe yoke and shock absorbing means within the yoke co-operating withsaid follower, the combination with a coupler having a one piece shank;of a pressure-transmitting block pivoted to the shank of the coupler,said block bearing on the front foltending through the coupler'shank andblock and engaging abutment means on said block and shank'disposedtransversely w1th respect to the pivotal axis of said connection toprevent relative separation of said block and shank in a directionlengthwise of said axis.

2. In a railway draft rigging including a pler; of apressure-transmitting member bearing on "said front follower and havinga swiveled connection with the coupler shank providing for lateralswinging movement about the axis of the swiveled 'connectionp saidswiveled connection including interengaging, separable bearing elementsonsaid' shank and member, respectively, said bearing elements beingassembled and inter-engaged g by relative movement thereof axially ofsaid swiveled connection; and 'a coupler key for connecting the couplershank to the yoke, said key having shouldered vengagement with thecoupler shank and 'member ito maintain said i I bearing elements againstseparation in aidirection axially of said swiveledjconnection,

3. Ina railway draft'rigging including'a yoke member adapted to enclosea shock absorbing means and a front follower having a key connectionwith said yokemember, the

.combination with a coupler; ofia-pressure- ;;transmittin'g memberbearing on the follower r and havmgf a swiveled 'connectlon withltheshank of the coupler, said swiveled-connection' including inter-engagingbearing ele-.

ments formed integral with the coupler shank -3aIiClpressure-transmitting member, respec-- Y tively, one of said bearingelements being in theform' of a substantiallycylindrical'membeer and'theother being in the form ofa socket accommodating said cylindricalmember, said 1: cylindricalmember being inter-engagedwlth said socket'by relative'movementtoward each other in a-E'direction axial of-saidbearing members; a cOupler key connecting thecoupler shank'to the yoke,said key also extend- :ping through alined slots in' said coupler shankand:Cylindricaljbearing member and locking the bearing member 'to saidsocket, against separation in said axial direction.

yokemember and a follower disposed within theyoke, the combination witha coupler pro vided with ashankmember; of adetachablef buttmemb'erswiveled to said shank member, theswiveled connection between sald mem abersinclu-ding a cylindrioalbearing element on 'one 'of said membersand'a socketJprovided on the other member, within which said cylindricalbearing element is disposed, said socket member and'cylin'drical bearngel e key receiving slots; a coupler key extending throughsaid' slots forconnecting the couplerto the yokean'd holding saidswiveled connectionagainst separation r Y i I v V. i p

o. In a railway draftrigglng ncludlng a yoke enclosin'g a shockELbSOIlOlIIgIIIBChEIIHSm and a front follower within the yoke co openVating Withthe shock absorbingmechanism,

the combination with 'a coupler provided with a'shank member. having alost motion connection with the yoke; of a:, pressuretransmlttmg blockmember having a swiv- 'eledconne'ctlon wlth the coupler shank'memleerand bearing on the'follower, said swiveled I connection mcludmg'spaced',arcuatearms-on one of said members and a cyll-ndrical 'beare f ingelement on theother 'member, curved 4:. Inarailway draftrigglngmcrudinga q pler. f &v ment beingiprovided with transverse, aligned V sidesthereof co-operatingit with" the'; outer i 11 bearing surfaces of saidcylindrical element: and the curved bearing'surfaces'of said walls.

v 6; In a railwaydraft rigging including a yoke enclosing alshockabsorbing mechanism.

and a front followerwithin the yoke co pera shank member; of atpressuretransmitting' block member having; a swiveled connection v with thecoupler shank member and bearing on the follower, said swiveledconnection in cluding spaced, arcuateiarms on one of said.

ating with the shock: absorbing mechanisms the combination with acoupler providedwith members and a cylindrical bearing element T f "onthe other of'said members iembraced by.

said arms, said cylindrical bearing element p and armsbeing provided[witha aligned key:

receiving. slots and ;a transverse coupler" key connecting the coupler;to the .yoke and e e I tending through I said aligned slots hold: saidswiveled'; connection against separation.

'7. In a railway draft"rigging-lincludingia, yokeienclosing a shockabsorbingimeans' and? a front follower within theyokeco operatingwithsaidshock absorbing means," the combination with a coupler provided witha shank? member-having a lost motion connection with- 1- member having afswiveled connection with the couple-r shank member and bearing on".

the yokefof a 'pressurertransmittin'g bl'ock;

said follower, saidswiveled connectionin Y eluding spaced, arcuate armson one of sa i-d1 members and a fcylindrical "bearing :element carriedby a. :poston the other-member, said arms 7 embracing the" cylindrical=bearing f member and engage able 'with the post" to" limit the lateralswinging movement of the cou} A coupler for railwaydraft'riggingscluding'acoupler head provided with a shank j having a separable'buttend section, said butt end section and shankhaving inter engags v ingconnecting elements presenting'snbstan tially vertically disposedabutment; walls, whereby said shank-wand butt end maybeassembled byrelative vertical movement -of onem towardthe other of, a; couplerxkeyfor-200111, necting thecou'plerto the draft rigging, saidk key"extending transversely throughv said in; I 'terengaging ielements tohold the same;

against vertical separation when assembled.-

- .Q/IILWltIlSS that I claim the foregoing Ihave hereunto subscribed myname this 'lOthday o'f May,'1928. i g V F QQONNOR:

: bearing walls on said last'named member V saidelement, the bearingsurfaces-of said sti

